The Association of National Advertisers Alliance for Family Entertainment, comprised of a number of top advertisers, is launching a $10 million media fund to sponsor the development of family-friendly drama and comedy series. That is in addition to a content development fund for TV and digital projects ANA launched in partnership with Humanitas a year ago. That fund was announced at ANA’s fifth annual symposium at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills; the new fund was announced today at the organization’s sixth annual symposium at the Paley Center. Several shows have come out ANA and its predecessor, the Family Friendly Programming Forum’s advertiser-supported development funds: Gilmore Girls, Everybody Hates Chris, Friday Night Lights and Chuck.

6 Comments

Elia • on Jun 22, 2010 2:30 pm

Could someone in the advertising world define “family entertainment”? Is this the Christian Right version of “family”? Or a more progressive MODERN FAMILY type “family”? Cuz everytime I hear “family entertainment” I get the sinking feeling it’s the homophobic, xenophobic world that seems so prevelent on the Right.

Garry • on Jun 22, 2010 2:30 pm

Considering the shows that came out of their previous attempts, I think it’s the “more progressive MODERN FAMILY type “family””

There’s been a lot of sex in three of those shows & none of them are married.
The Xtian right would never go for that kind of show, except of course in the privacy of their homes, the hypocrites!

HappyDance • on Jun 22, 2010 2:30 pm

They developed Gilmore Girls and Friday Night Lights; great shows that you’d be hard pressed to lump into one rigid conservative box. Instead it seems they just want good new projects and not the usual reality retreads or skanky teen soap operas.

carthy • on Jun 22, 2010 2:30 pm

You can bet that Anshutz and his Walden Media are going to be part of this. Just how many “Narnia” installments must we endure?

Xtian • on Jun 22, 2010 2:30 pm

@Elia- Nice ironic use of ‘xenophobic.’ In one post you show a big heapin’ helpin’ of hatred for the Right. Let’s not forget your choice for president is against same-sex marriage. But let’s not get hung up on hypocrisy. Oops! Sorry, Garry. I stepped on your lines. Yes, yes, I know you were referring to hypocrisy in Xtian right homes. If we could all be as morally sound as Bill Clinton, John Edwards, and the other liberal heroes, the world would be a wonderful place. But back to the topic at hand. 98% of the Christians in this country are actually quite normal. Unfortunately, those that get the most attention are the snake-oil salesmen who buy airtime and screech and wail and beg for money in exchange for a vial of holy water drawn from the tap at some seedy call center outside Omaha. And yes, you can include Pat Robertson in that category. GASP! You’d be hard-pressed to find any mainstream Christians who oppose Gilmore Girls, Everybody Hates Chris, Friday Night Lights and Chuck, based on content alone. They (we) might hate the show because it sucks. But assuming Christians hate a show because it portrays gay characters or alternative lifestyles is just silly. Stop in your local Episcopal church and do an informal poll of sexual orientation. You may be surprised at the number of gays there, and how they are embraced as members of the church family. And @carthy. First of all, this is primarily a TV issue, but I’ll play along. Narnia is clearly successful because there’s an audience for it. How many Saw installments must we endure? If the subtext in the Narnia pictures bothers you, DON’T WATCH, just like I choose to ignore the Saw garbage. Finally, one question: There are a number of conservative Jews working in entertainment. Do they warrant the same hatred as Christians? Just curious.